Tired of takeout? Make your favorites at home instead

(BPT) - When you’re short on time and the family’s hungry, it’s all too tempting — and too easy — to fall back on takeout. But the truth is, you can probably save yourself a trip by making those same takeout items at home. With some simple planning and the right ingredients, you’ll be able to whip up your favorite restaurant go-tos in record time.

Here’s how you can recreate your top takeout picks without ever leaving the comfort of your own home:

Asian

You don’t need a wok to make an Asian-inspired meal at home. You can start by making an easy dish with plain white rice (or precooked instant rice, if pressed for time) and any vegetables you have in the fridge.

For the veggies, toss in your favorite Asian seasonings — we recommend soy sauce, ginger, garlic, a little brown sugar for sweetness, plus a dash of sesame oil. You could even add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

Place your stir-fried veggies and rice onto each plate and add a protein. SeaPak Orange Shrimp is a great option from the freezer aisle that keeps cook time and mess to a minimum. Using a pre-marinated protein can help you get that amazing Asian flavor you normally only find in a restaurant.

American

Salmon burgers are a great way to get a restaurant experience at home. Pre-made patties can make the experience quick and easy, and you can cook your salmon burgers in the broiler if you don’t have a grill handy. You can even bake them in the oven if you’re pressed for time. Consider creating an at-home burger bar by laying out hamburger buns, grilled onions, tomatoes, lettuce and condiments for everyone to pick and choose from. We suggest topping your salmon burgers with a fresh, lemon dill sauce or even Tzatziki sauce, both of which you can find available on the dressing aisle at your local grocery store. Don’t forget to make a side for your burgers, like frozen sweet potato fries, tater tots or coleslaw.

Italian

Everyone loves pasta, and you can prepare it at home in less time than it takes to wait for delivery. True, it might take hours to make the pasta from scratch, but there’s no need for that. Using pre-made ingredients, such as store-bought pasta and frozen seafood, like shrimp, scallops and mussels, makes the cooking go by much quicker. First, sauté some garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil and then add in your seafood. Next, mix in your favorite canned red Italian pasta sauce and some basil for additional flavor. Pro tip: Don't skimp on the Parmesan cheese!

Put these items on your shopping list:

• Pre-made pasta, like spaghetti or linguine
• Frozen shrimp, scallops and mussels
• A flavorful pre-made red pasta sauce
• Grated Parmesan
• Basil (fresh or dried, the flavor is the same either way)

Mexican

Make “Taco Tuesday” a weeknight tradition by laying out all the right ingredients for DIY tacos. Most kids usually find the hard, stand-up taco shells or the soft, foldable tortillas the easiest to load up.

Shop for:

• Taco shells or soft tortillas
• Shrimp or white fish (like SeaPak Shrimp Scampi or Budweiser Beer Battered Cod)
• Lettuce and tomatoes
• Grated cheddar (or any other favorite cheese)
• Taco seasoning
• Sour cream and guacamole, for topping

In individual bowls, place the cooked seafood, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, taco seasoning, guacamole and sour cream. Arrange the bowls on the kitchen counter or dining room table and let everyone put together their own tacos. Make sure you have enough for seconds!